The Top 11 Most Expensive Countries in Europe in 2024

The world is a topsy-turvy place. Houses are nearing $1 million in some places, movie tickets are more than $20 in other areas, and middle-class people can’t afford to eat at restaurants that were once deemed moderately priced. The reality is the middle class is disappearing, the rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer. Although it’s unfair, that’s the world we live in today.

The cost of living in Europe is increasing rapidly — from food prices to energy costs. Mostly it’s due to the war in Ukraine and the aftermath of COVID-19. Most Europeans are worried about the cost of living increases happening all over the continent. The different European governments know and are actively tackling this problem and coming up with solutions to combat this.

So, let’s explore the top 11 most expensive countries in Europe. We’ll also throw in all the essential numbers you will need to see.

1. Switzerland

The Swiss Confederation being at the top of the list comes as no surprise to anyone reading this. Switzerland is notoriously expensive. A hamburger with a soda can cost a whopping 20 Swiss francs. When we’re talking about the cost of living, the prices are outrageous. The cost of living for a single person in dollars is $1,744 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,872. That’s a total of $3,616 every single month! For a family of four, it increases to $6,300 plus $3,300 for a three-bedroom.

2. Iceland

Iceland is an island nation and because it’s out in the middle of the ocean, importing goods to the country is more expensive. The cost of living for a single person is $1,274 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,633 for a total of $2,907. For a family of four, it increases to $4,697 plus $2,380 for a three-bedroom. Living in Iceland, however, has its perks. It’s one of the safest countries and has one of the highest life expectancies in the world.

3. Norway

Norway is just plain expensive. Groceries are expensive. Transportation is expensive. Home prices are expensive! The cost of living for a single person is $1,190 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,064 for a total of $2,254. For a family of four, it goes up to $4,256 plus $1,793 for a three-bedroom. Norway tends to be one of the happiest countries in the world and it does have a Nordic-style welfare state, which the public can benefit from.

4. Denmark

Denmark is another Nordic country on the list. Always on the top of happiest countries, Denmark is also consistently on the most expensive countries list. And for good reason, they have a well-developed quality of life. The high wages, though, come with high taxes. In terms of the numbers, the cost of living for a single person in Denmark is $1,136 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,115 for a total of $2,251. For a family of four, it goes up to $4,063 plus $2,070 for a three-bedroom. 

5. Luxembourg

Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe and it’s also one of the financial capitals in the continent. People from all over the world live in Luxembourg to work in the finance sector. Because of that, it has developed a reputation of being very expensive. In terms of numbers, the cost of living for a single person is $1,055 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,739 for a total of $2,794. For a family of four, it goes up to $3,645 plus $3,002 for a three-bedroom.

6. Ireland

Ireland is a beautiful country but the fact that it’s super expensive is not the luck of the Irish. The cost of living in the nation is high because of its low population and the fact they have to import most of its goods. The numbers say it all. The cost of living in Ireland for a single person is $1,020 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,570 for a total of $2,590. For a family of four, it goes up to $3,567 plus $2,643 for a three-bedroom.

7. France

France is one of the most popular countries in the world. People flock from all over the world to visit France’s major cities, especially Paris. This reason alone is why prices surge upward, especially in summer. In terms of numbers, the cost of living in France for a single person is $972 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $765 for a total of $1,737. For a family of four, it goes up to $3,468 plus $1,495 for a three-bedroom.

8. Austria

Austria is one of the most expensive countries in Europe because of its high wages and social safety net. Vienna, especially, is more expensive to live in and visit, as well. When it comes to the numbers, the cost of living in Austria for a single person is $1,045 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $871 for a total of $1,916. For a family of four, it goes up to $3,570 plus $1,524 for a three-bedroom.

9. Finland

Finland is way up north and its low population means that many goods have to be imported. This is one of the reasons why Finland can be so expensive. The other reason is Finland has a great social safety net where the populace gets free healthcare, free education, and amazing other services. In terms of the numbers, the cost of living in Finland for a single person is $950 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $836 for a total of $1,786. For a family of four, it ends up being $3,457 plus $1,428 for a three-bedroom.

10. Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the most popular countries to live and visit. The quality of life has a big impact on people wanting to live there. And the Netherlands is also a country many people want to visit as well. This creates a demand, which surges prices. When it comes to the numbers, the cost of living in the Netherlands for a single person is $983 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,279 for a total of $2,262. For a family of four, it increases to $3,440 plus $1,928 for a three-bedroom.

11. Germany

Germany’s quality of life is fantastic and it’s one of the most powerful countries in the European Union. There is also an inflation problem in the country that has created an increase in prices in general. The numbers say it all. The cost of living in Germany for a single person is $995 without rent and the average one-bedroom apartment is $887 for a total of $1,882. For a family of four, it goes up to $3,401 plus $1,616 for a three-bedroom.

Conclusion

And there you have it, the 11 most expensive countries in Europe. As the world is getting more expensive, most people are finding themselves getting priced out of the neighborhoods they’ve lived in for years. Most people are moving from the expensive big cities in Europe to others in the continent. As the war in Ukraine rages on and the inflation problem continues, European governments have a real catastrophe waiting to happen they must tackle with full force.

Top 11 Most Expensive Countries in Europe

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